Today is the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the President of the United States of America. Some people I know are rejoicing, glad to have the country back in “God’s hands.” Most all of the folks in the circles that I live and work are heavy, burdened, grieving, sick-to-their-stomachs, and aching for the reality of what this means for so many on the margins. Today is also the day that there are women’s marches across the country, and it’s beautiful to see so …

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I always love remembering Dr. King and the beautiful work he and so many others did and are doing on behalf of equality and justice. I’m a dreamer. A hopeful realist. A “we can do it” kind of person. I believe in MLK’s dream, and oh, I’ve written about dreams over all these years in so many different ways. Dreams Re-dux, Dreaming and Making What Could Be, Be, We Have a Dream, This Dream is so Possible, Dreamers, Lovers, …

I was happy to hear last week that Boulder, Colorado, which is just north of where we live, has declared itself a “sanctuary city” related to immigrants at risk. I’m attending another meeting next week about churches becoming “sanctuary churches,” safe places for individuals and families who could be deported (The Refuge can’t host overnight guests because of provisions in our lease but I’m looking forward to learning more at the meeting). Some of the definitions of “sanctuary” include: 1. a sacred or holy place. 2. the part of a church around the altar. 3. a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest. 4. any place of refuge; asylum. It made me …

I started to write a post this week about “hopeful realism”, what I’m trying to hold on to right now in the midst of the avalanche of cynicism that is trying to bury me and so many people I know. But as I started writing, things quickly turned another direction. The United States of America is the laughingstock of the world right now, with the kind of laughter only a dark comedy brings. The reality that Donald Trump is soon to be in the highest office …

For almost 9 years I’ve been writing my guts out about church and faith and life and all my dreams of what could be. Despite the vulnerability and what it’s cost me in certain circles, I’m inspired by the incredible people I’ve met over the years through this blog who are changing systems that need changing, who have moved the needle on equality and justice and greater-emotional-health in the churches and ministries and organizations they are part of. You keep me in! Yet, as much as I’ve …

Post-election I’ve been thinking a lot about Nonviolent Communication. I’m not the best at it but I try. It’s been incredibly helpful for me as a tool to notice how unhelpful jackal words are in building connection between people (and how much they’ve been used since November 9th and oh, I’ve said my fair share) and also how underneath all of my feelings are needs. For me, another way I describe needs are core values–values that guide and fuel and propel and compel me. That connect me …

I hope you all made it through Thanksgiving okay. I know for many it was likely to be a rough ride, with the reality of family and friends’ who-voted-for-who. We avoided the topic in certain settings, overrun by all 5 kids home for 3 days and knowing it wouldn’t lead to anything productive. I’ll admit, I’ve been in a bit of a fog since November 8th and have bizarre out-of-the-blue moments where I look at my husband or kids while we’re driving and keep repeating, “Donald-freaking-Trump …

Now it’s been 2 weeks since USA election 2016 rocked our world. If you’re like me, you’re a bit inundated with the amount of articles and social media pieces centered on it. I’ve read reflections and ideas from all different perspectives and frankly, I am exhausted but can’t seem to not-read them. I can’t seem to check out. I can’t seem to totally unplug. I also think we’re not supposed to. In fact, that is what a lot of people are banking on–that we will check …